197TH INF BDE MECH ODS SUMMARY OF OPNS 17 JAN 10 MAR 91

File: 971203_aug97_sagwi1_0010.txt
Page: 0010
Total Pages: 20
Subject = 197TH INF BDE MECH ODS SUMMARY OF OPNS 17 JAN 10 MAR 91         

Box ID = BX007009

Folder Title = REQUEST FOR DECLASS AND UPLOADING OF DOCUMENTS 11 JUL 97                                        

Unit = OSAGWI      

Parent Org = USAGWD      









                                       5 Feb 91, the FSCL was extended to
                                  26111
                                  PL Ripper, along the Euphrates River.. At
                                  261300 Feb 91, 8 close air support sorties
                                  were flown against 2 reported enemy
                                  mechanized and 1 D30 artillery battalion;
                                  sorties were subsequently diverted
                                  to destroy 4 pontoon bridges over
                                  the Euphrates River in the city of
                                  An Hasgiriya. At 261312 Feb 91, gdoutg
                                  from TF 1-18 and TF 2-18 pushed forward to
                                  recon routes into the Euphrates River
                                  Valley. At 281329 Feb 91, gignificamt wet
                                  sabkhas were reported. At 261350 Feb 91,
                                  the TF 2-18 axis was diverted east behind
                                  TF 1-18 in an attempt to bypass no-go
                                  terrain. At 261400 Feb 91, the Brigade
                                  crogged P@ Viking with TF 2-16 in Brigade
                                  left zone and TF 1-18 in Brigade right
                                  zone. 4-41 FA followed in support.
                                  TV 2-69 followed TF 2-18 as Brigade
                                  reserve. Weather for the attack was poor,
                                  with a sandstorm and winds up to 35
                                  knots. 'Visibility wag limited to legs
                                  than 25 meters. Navigation was done
                                  solely by compass and global positioning
                                  system. By 261723 Feb 91, the TF 2-18
                                  route became impassable with heavy tracks
                                  mired in deep mud. TF scouts, TM D/2-18,
                                  and the task force command group continued
                                  towards PL Normandy and OBJ Guard;
                                  TF 2-16 (-) and TF 2-69 were forced to
                                  turn around on a narrow mud road and fell
                                  in generally behind the TF 1-18 axis. By
                                  261808 Feb 91, TF 1-18 reached PL Normandy
                                  and wag ordered to hold pbnding
                                  positioning of the artillery. By 262200
                                  Feb 91, both lead task f6rees'were in
                                  contact with the Iraqi 3d Commando
                                  Regiment of the RGFO. At 262207 Feb 91,
                                  TF 1-18 Scouts reported taking fire and
                                  engaged up the Regimental command post.
                                  Two task force soldiers were wounded and
                                  8 enemy.,@iere killed in this action. At
                                  262225 Feb 91, TF 2-18 Scouts reported up
                                  to 300 diifmount@d,enemy and revetted
                                  trucks on the 3d Commando right flank. By
                                  282230 Feb 91, 4-41-FA completed a fire
                                ...mission with DPICM; battle damage was 4
                                  trucks and numerous secondary explosions..
                                  The fire mission was repeated; final
                                  eagezzment wag 46 enemy soldiers killed
                                  in action, 7 wounded in action with
                                  6 trucks, 6 Jeeps, 3 buses, and 1
                                  motorcycle destroyed. Surviving

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